評論
打印
Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small case-book, which he consulted.
福爾摩斯轉身走向他的辦公桌，打開抽屜的鎖，從中取出一本小小的案例簿，翻閱了一下。
"Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was concerned with an opal tiara.
"法林托歇，"他說，"啊，是的，我想起了那個案子，是一件和貓兒眼寶石女冠冕有關的案子。
I think it was before your time, Watson.
華生，我想起那還是你來以前的事呢。
I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend.
小姐，我只能說我很樂于為你這個案子效勞，就象我曾經為你的朋友那樁案子效勞一樣。
As to reward, my profession is its own reward;
至于酬勞，我的職業本身就是它的酬勞；
but you are at liberty to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which suits you best.
但是，你可以在你感到最合適的時候，隨意支付我在這件事上可能付出的費用。
And now I beg that you will lay before us everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the matter."
那么，現在請你把可能有助于對這件事作出判斷的一切告訴我們吧。"
"Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation lies in the fact that my fears are so vague,
"唉，"我們的來客回答說，"我處境的可怕之處在于我所擔心害怕的東西十分模糊，
and my suspicions depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to another,
我的疑慮完全是由一些瑣碎的小事引起的，這些小事在別人看起來可能是微不足道的，
that even he to whom of all others I have a right to look for help and advice
在所有的人當中，甚至我最有權利取得其幫助和指點的人，
looks upon all that I tell him about it as the fancies of a nervous woman.
也把我告訴他的關于這件事的一切看做是一個神經質的女人的胡思亂想。
He does not say so, but I can read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes.
他倒沒有這么說，但是，我能從他安慰我的答話和回避的眼神中覺察出來。
But I have heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold wickedness of the human heart.
我聽說，福爾摩斯先生，你能看透人們心中種種邪惡。
You may advise me how to walk amid the dangers which encompass me."
請你告訴我，在危機四伏的情況下，我該如何辦。"
"I am all attention, madam."
"我十分留意地聽你講，小姐。"
